A pact ensuring the continued operation of the Oleson Park Zoo has been approved.

The next step for Fort Dodge officials and the Friends of the Oleson Park Zoo is the creation of some new living areas that would be tailor-made for the animals.

The zoo in Oleson Park at the south end of 17th Street is owned by the city, but the animals are owned by the Friends of the Oleson Park Zoo, a volunteer group.

A memorandum of understanding between the city and the Friends that maintains that relationship was unanimously approved by the City Council Monday evening.

”For the most part, it’s essentially the same system we’ve been working under,” Jim Kramer, the president of the Friends, said Monday afternoon. ”There’s really no big change with respect to the contract.”

Lori Branderhorst, the director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, agreed that the contract contains only minor changes.

”We’re ensuring that we’ve got a clean, safe environment for the animals and a functioning relationship between the Friends and the city,” she told the council. ”So basically what you see here is small changes.”

Councilman Terry Moehnke asked Branderhorst to explain the plans for new habitats at the zoo.

She replied that the Friends group will be responsible for providing information on the types of habitats that would be best for the zoo’s exotic animals. She said the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department will then develop plans for building them. She added that a fundraising drive will be necessary because currently there is no money available for new habitats.

When Moehnke asked if there have been any recent concerns about the care of the animals, Branderhorst replied that have not been any and the most recent federal inspection found no problems.

Councilmen Dave Flattery, Jeffrey Halter and Don Wilson said they would like the council to meet with the Friends of the Oleson Park Zoo.

Flattery added that he believes a comprehensive plan for the future of the zoo is needed.

”I think we’re just floundering out there now,” he said.

Kramer said the Friends of the Oleson Park Zoo is seeking volunteers to serve in any capacity. Anyone who is interested should call Pam Moeller, the zoo manager, at 571-8051.